Weekly Rundown - 06/11/12-06/17/12

... okay, I did. I was busy this morning before work, give me a break! Ahem...

Games this week:

Gamecube - Resident Evil 2

Playstation 3 - Heavy Rain

Xbox 360 - Gears of War 3, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Gameboy Color - Pokémon: Blue Version

So! A bunch of Resident Evil 2 throughout the week. Finished it up. At least, the ClaireB campaign. I did get a response last week that the campaign does change a bit depending on whether you play as Claire or Leon first, but, I don't think the story itself changes. So, I don't care.

I liked it a bunch. I mean, it kind of gets a pass in my book because it's an older Resident Evil game, meaning the voice-acting is terrible and flat, but, that aside, I enjoyed it. It's been a few years since I played Resident Evil, and even that was the remake for the Gamecube, so, a direct sequel comparison is impossible. But, it feels like the overall game is shorter than than the previous title and there's just... less. Fewer puzzles, fewer scary moments (though, there were a couple of "Oh, shit!" moments), fewer boss encounters... I liked Resident Evil 2 a bunch, but, I definitely remember enjoying that remake more than this game. And maybe that's a bit of nostalgia as I played Resident Evil the first time years and years ago and I'm only now playing the sequel. Difficult to say. But, I'm debating whether I should jump into Resident Evil 3: Nemesis or Resident Evil Zero next. Decisions, decisions!

While deciding, I played some Gears of War 3 multiplayer. I had not done that at all yet, just played a bunch of the campaign then shelved it. My mate Tebo talked me into it, though. Played the Horde mode and Beast mode, and, they were wicked fun! Surprise! I really enjoyed the changes to the Horde mode a lot. Leveling up your barriers, and what level of barrier you can employ, is a great idea. And then the entire Beast mode as a concept is pretty great. I'm not sure how I feel about leveling up your class of Locust every game, but, it's not the worst thing and it's a bunch of fun tearing into COG soldiers with a Ticker.

Y'know what is the worst change from my brief foray into Gears of War 3 multiplayer? Needing X number of kills with Y weapon to unlock that weapon's special execution. That is completely lame and bummed me out a great deal when I went to take execute a locust with the Gnasher shotgun and was denied my golf-swing glory. I do not understand it and I think it's a terrible idea.

While continuing to decide, I finally started Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood! It's only been sitting on my shelf since December! Anyway, that game is pretty great so far. I'm barely into it, Desmond and co. just arrived in Monterrigioni and set up the Animus. But it plays like Assassin's Creed II so far, which means it's wicked fun to run around. And it picks right up with the story, which is great, considering how the second game ended. I'm looking forward to the Brotherhood aspects, though, those sound like a great time.

And this weekend I finished up Heavy Rain with Rebekah! That game's ending is phenomenal. Took me completely by surprise and, honestly, somewhat gut-wrenching since my favorite character turned out to be the killer. Whoa. I'm also glad I didn't just let Jayden die, despite hating him, because he was crucial in getting the good ending. He did, however, go completely insane and started seeing little tanks rolling around on his desk. Don't know what that was about, but, it made me laugh. And I can only assume that's because I used ARI too much and it broke his brain. Whoops!

Anyway, final thoughts now that I've finished it? I liked it. Despite its myriad issues, which I've already detailed and held true right to the end, I enjoyed it. The story was amazing, even if the game could be frustrating. And a bit glitchy. At one point, Madison walked into some stairs. Like, right into them. Clipped through and was just standing in concrete up to her chest. And then the collision detection started working! And she was trapped in the stairs. It was like a terrible Kitty Pryde-gone-wrong instance or something. And some of the ending felt... weirdly forced? The only thing that's bugged me was where the hell did Madison Paige know Norman Jayden from? I can only assume I've forgotten some interaction they had earlier in the game?

I asked Rebekah what she thought when it was done and the credits were through. She said, "I liked it." Succinct! A skill I don't always employ.

And I'm continuing to fill out the Pokédex in Pokémon. Getting tired of it, which is apparent by how little I'm playing it. 96 owned. Currently leveling a Psyduck.

And that’s it! Next week! Big ol’ empty slate for two consoles, let’s see what I start.

... okay, I did. I was busy this morning before work, give me a break! Ahem...

Games this week:

Gamecube - Resident Evil 2

Playstation 3 - Heavy Rain

Xbox 360 - Gears of War 3, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Gameboy Color - Pokémon: Blue Version

So! A bunch of Resident Evil 2 throughout the week. Finished it up. At least, the ClaireB campaign. I did get a response last week that the campaign does change a bit depending on whether you play as Claire or Leon first, but, I don't think the story itself changes. So, I don't care.

I liked it a bunch. I mean, it kind of gets a pass in my book because it's an older Resident Evil game, meaning the voice-acting is terrible and flat, but, that aside, I enjoyed it. It's been a few years since I played Resident Evil, and even that was the remake for the Gamecube, so, a direct sequel comparison is impossible. But, it feels like the overall game is shorter than than the previous title and there's just... less. Fewer puzzles, fewer scary moments (though, there were a couple of "Oh, shit!" moments), fewer boss encounters... I liked Resident Evil 2 a bunch, but, I definitely remember enjoying that remake more than this game. And maybe that's a bit of nostalgia as I played Resident Evil the first time years and years ago and I'm only now playing the sequel. Difficult to say. But, I'm debating whether I should jump into Resident Evil 3: Nemesis or Resident Evil Zero next. Decisions, decisions!

While deciding, I played some Gears of War 3 multiplayer. I had not done that at all yet, just played a bunch of the campaign then shelved it. My mate Tebo talked me into it, though. Played the Horde mode and Beast mode, and, they were wicked fun! Surprise! I really enjoyed the changes to the Horde mode a lot. Leveling up your barriers, and what level of barrier you can employ, is a great idea. And then the entire Beast mode as a concept is pretty great. I'm not sure how I feel about leveling up your class of Locust every game, but, it's not the worst thing and it's a bunch of fun tearing into COG soldiers with a Ticker.

Y'know what is the worst change from my brief foray into Gears of War 3 multiplayer? Needing X number of kills with Y weapon to unlock that weapon's special execution. That is completely lame and bummed me out a great deal when I went to take execute a locust with the Gnasher shotgun and was denied my golf-swing glory. I do not understand it and I think it's a terrible idea.

While continuing to decide, I finally started Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood! It's only been sitting on my shelf since December! Anyway, that game is pretty great so far. I'm barely into it, Desmond and co. just arrived in Monterrigioni and set up the Animus. But it plays like Assassin's Creed II so far, which means it's wicked fun to run around. And it picks right up with the story, which is great, considering how the second game ended. I'm looking forward to the Brotherhood aspects, though, those sound like a great time.

And this weekend I finished up Heavy Rain with Rebekah! That game's ending is phenomenal. Took me completely by surprise and, honestly, somewhat gut-wrenching since my favorite character turned out to be the killer. Whoa. I'm also glad I didn't just let Jayden die, despite hating him, because he was crucial in getting the good ending. He did, however, go completely insane and started seeing little tanks rolling around on his desk. Don't know what that was about, but, it made me laugh. And I can only assume that's because I used ARI too much and it broke his brain. Whoops!

Anyway, final thoughts now that I've finished it? I liked it. Despite its myriad issues, which I've already detailed and held true right to the end, I enjoyed it. The story was amazing, even if the game could be frustrating. And a bit glitchy. At one point, Madison walked into some stairs. Like, right into them. Clipped through and was just standing in concrete up to her chest. And then the collision detection started working! And she was trapped in the stairs. It was like a terrible Kitty Pryde-gone-wrong instance or something. And some of the ending felt... weirdly forced? The only thing that's bugged me was where the hell did Madison Paige know Norman Jayden from? I can only assume I've forgotten some interaction they had earlier in the game?

I asked Rebekah what she thought when it was done and the credits were through. She said, "I liked it." Succinct! A skill I don't always employ.

And I'm continuing to fill out the Pokédex in Pokémon. Getting tired of it, which is apparent by how little I'm playing it. 96 owned. Currently leveling a Psyduck.

And that’s it! Next week! Big ol’ empty slate for two consoles, let’s see what I start.